Road to Recovery

Chapter 11 - Reconciliation

"You know you can still refuse if you want, right?" Reia offers, even when they're almost at the place they're supposed to meet each other "Neither of us will blame you if you do."

"It's fine, woof. I actually want to see the loner again!"

"Alright then."

Shin's request to meet Gin had come as a surprise, considering he cut off contact with all of his fellow survivors. However, over a year has passed, so it makes sense that some of his feelings around staying in touch with them might have changed since. And so, Reia had texted Gin, of course explaining the request clearly so he could make an informed decision. Gin hadn't even hesitated to agree.

She hadn't told him about her own death game. That's a burden a child shouldn't be carrying, especially not on top of his own trauma. Neither her nor Gin mentioned his death game either, although she's convinced Gin probably has at least a hunch that she knows. He's a smart kid after all.

Reia spots Shin in the distance, his back turned to them. He's probably looking at his phone while waiting. She did sent a text when she was about to head out after all.

When they're close, she calls out his name and he turns around, approaching to meet them halfway "Are you okay?"

Without context it may seem like a strange question, but she knows why he asks it. She nods "I mostly am now."

Being in a public place with two people she trusts does ease her anxiety a little, even if she can't help but look over her shoulder every now and then.

Shin nods, then turns towards Gin "Eh, hi."

Gin, who was observing the interaction between the two adults with him, looks up at Shin "It really is the loner, meow."

Shin know "It's me. You... must be surprised."

"I was, woof. You said you never wanted to see us again, so I thought I never would, meow."

"I did say that, didn't I?" Shin rubs the back of his head.

"Did you hit your head again, meow? To make you forget?"

"What? Oh, no..."

"It's more of a figure of speech." Reia clarifies.

"Oh." Gin says, looking up at her for a moment before turning back to Shin "What made you want to see me, woof?"

"Well, I've just been... reminded of everything lately." Shin says softly, looking down at the ground "And I met Reia, so I sort of had a connection to you again. She's your big sis, isn't she?"

"She is!" Gin beams.

Shin gives a small smile at Gin's happy response "You have a cool big sis, Gin."

"Definitely. She knows a lot of stuff, meow."

"You guys are too nice." Reia mumbles, covering her mouth with the back of her hand.

"Big sis Reia, how do you know the loner, woof?" Gin suddenly turns his attention back on her.

"Well, you know I was doing the boring adult thing of working, right?" Gin nods and she continues "Shin was too, so we met at work and became friends." That's the very short version of a long, complicated story at least.

"Is he nice to you?"

It's not a question Gin would normally ask her when she mentions any of her friends, so it takes her a moment to process it. But when she considers the little Shin has told her about what he went through and how he acted, it makes sense that Gin would be a little wary of him, even in a different context than the death game.